Insider: Thumbs up to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix runs with the ball after making an interception against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.(Photo: Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle)

So many blown chances to put the game away. Up 16-0 with less than 5 minutes left in the third quarter. A muffed onside kick with just more than 2 minutes left in the game. Poor defensive coverage in overtime.

It all added up to a 28-22 loss with Seattle scoring 21 of its points in the final 5½ minutes of the game. The Packers had a chance at their sixth Super Bowl appearance but let it slip away in embarrassing fashion.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix made plays all over the field. He intercepted Russell Wilson twice. The first one was on a ball that tipped off the hands of Seattle's Jermaine Kearse, and he returned it 26 yards. But the second was an amazing display of athleticism and concentration.

Midway through the second quarter, Clinton-Dix was in underneath coverage on Kearse. Clinton-Dix got spun around on the play, but recovered enough to make a one-handed interception just as he turned to find the ball. He returned that one 27 yards.

THUMBS DOWN

The Packers' red zone offense was awful in the first quarter. Despite their defense and special teams giving them an interception and a fumble recovery, the offense could produce only six points. Six times, Green Bay had the ball inside the Seattle 7-yard line and couldn't score a touchdown.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs towards the end zone in the first quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.(Photo: Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle)

On those plays, Eddie Lacy carried three times for 7 yards, John Kuhn once for zero yards and Aaron Rodgers completed 1 of 2 passes for 5 yards. If the Packers had taken better advantage of those opportunities, the end might have turned out differently.

TURNING POINT

Leading 19-14 after a Seattle touchdown with just more than 2 minutes left in the game, the Packers couldn't recover an onside kick, allowing the Seahawks to take a 22-19 lead less than 2 minutes later. On the onside kick, Packers tight end Brandon Bostick let the ball go through his hands and bounce off his helmet.

Seattle's Chris Matthews recovered. Bostick started the play on the line and it appeared he wasn't supposed to go for the ball. Jordy Nelson was right behind him waiting to make the catch. Bostick got an earful from special teams coach Shawn Slocum on the sideline after the play.

DID YOU NOTICE?

Green Bay's defense was airtight in the first half. In order, here were the results of Seattle's first-half possessions: interception, fumble recovery in kickoff return, three-and-out, three-and-out, interception, interception, end of half.

The Packers could muster only 28 yards in the third quarter.

The Seahawks didn't pick up their initial first down until their fifth possession.

Green Bay had one of its worst performances of the season converting third downs, making only 3 of 14 (21 percent).

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers leaves the field following the Packers 28-22 overtime loss to Seattle.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Seattle Seahawks' Chris Matthews grabs an onside kick in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb runs after taking a handoff from Aaron Rodgers in the first half. The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy runs in the first half of the NFC championship game against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) intercepts a Russell Wilson pass in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink FIeld in Seattle January 18, 2015. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after throwing an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safety Sam Shields (37) intercepts apass in front of Jermaine Kearse (15) in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink FIeld in Seattle January 18, 2015. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix runs with the ball after making an interception against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs towards the end zone in the first quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Micah Hyde tries to elude Seattle Seahawks' Robert Turbin (22) while returning a punt in the during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers reacts to an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers Micah Hyde (33) shows his dejection after the Packers were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in overtime during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) tries to elude Seattle Seahawks defensive end O'Brien Schofield while making a run in third quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to make a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in fourth quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is congratulated by his teammates after he made a field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy yells at an official during Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy adds a little body English as he watches a field goal attempt against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Packers kicker Mason Crosby made the field goal on the play. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) shows his dejection after the Packers were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in overtime during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers is helped to his feet after being hit in the third quarter.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers' James Starks runs against the defense of Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers' Morgan Burnett intercepts the ball in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.
Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers fan Corey Behnke, from New York, shows his colors as he attends Sunday's NFC Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) can't make a catch against the Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) in the first quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams (17) runs with the ball after making a catch in front of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) in the first quarter during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Micah Hyde tries to elude Seattle Seahawks' Robert Turbin (22) while returning a punt in the during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) runs with the ball after making an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gives orders to his players at the line of scrimmage during the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Chris Banjo (32) reacts toward the crowd after making a tackle against the Seattle Seahawks during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) is mobbed by his teammates after Clinton-Dix made an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during Sunday's NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Evan Siegle/P-G Media Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' John Kuhn dives for the goal line in the first quarter, originally ruled a touchdown but reversed on review.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.
Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb carries the ball on a handoff during the NFC championship game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink FIeld in Seattle in January. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy runs in the first half.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.
Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers' Richard Rodgers catches a pass for a first down in the first half.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers' Richard Rodgers catches a pass in the second half.
The Green Bay Packers against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC conference championship game Sunday, January 18, 2015, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media, Wm.Glasheen/P-C Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers flips a short pass that would fall incomplete under heavy pressure against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink FIeld in Seattle. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

RANT: While the defense played well overall, it gave up huge plays at the most inopportune times. On third-and-19 with 6:51 left in the third quarter, Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin found a seam in the zone coverage and caught a 29-yard pass. That led to Seattle's first score, when holder Jon Ryan hit Garry Gilliam in the end zone on a fake field goal play. Then in overtime, cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Tramon Williams gave up consecutive 35-yard pass plays and the game was over.

RAVE: Julius Peppers deserved to get a chance at his first Super Bowl ring after he dominated Seattle backup right tackle Alvin Bailey all day. Peppers finished with 1½ sacks, three quarterback hits and five tackles, including one tackle for loss. On several plays, his pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson forced him to throw away the ball.

RANT: After controlling Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch in the first half, allowing him to gain only 37 rushing yards, Green Bay's defense let him become a huge factor in the second half. Lynch ran for 120 of his 157 total rushing yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run, and caught a 26-yard pass, all in the second half.